CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar

[Ion]

People fall from grace all the time in Hollywood. As long as JJ makes hit films (and doesn't do any terrble things), he'll be the Teflon Producer.

Not saying it's a likely scenario here. As I mentioned a page or eighteen back, I have to think Abrams was authorized to say something. You don't build an organization that supports billions in revenue without knowing how all this works.

But on the slim chance that he wasn't...

 

[OtherGene]

Eveybody: Skip the pull-quote and go to the link. You have to read the entire thing to get the full effect.

It certainly makes for interesting reading but I find it frustrating he hasn't spoken out until now. If he'd spoken out sooner at the very least some guy in Idaho may not have given Axanar some of his hard earned dollars.

 

[Sgt_G]

If CBS and/or Paramount had a meeting with Justin Lin and NOT JJ Abrams, why on God's Green Earth would they authorize Abrams to make the announcement. He even said he was telling the story because Lin didn't want to. I have to believe there is no way in Hades that "the studio" allowed him to say any of that.

 

[Noname Given]

Technically correct, but what are the odds that AP will reject this olive branch and insist on going to trial? Slim to none. And even if he DOES reject it, who really cares anymore? We're going to get official fan-film guidelines. That is worth a lot more in the long-run than the ultimate fate of AP's pet project.

What are the odds Alec peters will reject a settlement that has limit/rules to what he can do with regard to 'Axanar'?

Based on what I've seen of Alec's response to restrictions - There is indeed a distinct possibility he'll reject it. (In his mind it definitely could be the case where, since JJ Abrams said what he did - Peters thinks can get ANY agreement from C/P he wants; and that probably isn't the case. Remember he's the same 'lawyer by training who believed the Judge would take WEEKS to decide on the MTD [it was less then 24 hours]; and Mr. Peters also believed he would get part of the C/P case dismissed [IE that their 'claim is unripe with respect to the Axanar feature' argument would get the Axanar film aspect dismissed - which 100% did not happen] So, Mr. Peters has already demonstrated poor reasoning with respect to legal aspects. )

Also, if a settlement was that close you would think Mr. Peters would have some knowledge of said settlement; as he is the ONE person (as the head of Axanar and the single defendant named) who has to agree to the offer.

In the context of JJ Abrams statement (and C/P's clarification that they are in settlement talks) - 'going away' doesn't equal 'dropped'; but also, C/P's legal team comment of 'in settlement negotiations' doesn't equal 'settlement reached/agreed to/signed'. And one thing's for sure - NEITHER JJ Abrams nor Justin Lin (or Hell, Alec Peters) has been in the room/conference call between attorneys where the settlement negotiations are being discussed.

Will JJ Abrams/Justin Lin's statement mean C/P will make a settlement offer that's less punitive and more 'forgiving' towards Axanar/Alec Peters then they would have? -- Yes

Will Alec Peters accept it? I'd truly say there's a chance he won't; or be so intractable that a settlement might not be ultimately reached. Mr. Abrams probably believes Mr. Peters to be a practical/rational person; but that just shows he doesn't know Mr. Peters' previous business history very well (if at all.) If Mr. Peters were that practical/rational, I would thing with 1.3 million he could have produced Axanar already and not driven off talent (like Tony Todd or Prelude to Axanar's director) that were initially working on and supportive of the Axanar project.

So yes, C/P will probably now offer a settlement any rational person in Mr. Peters' situation would jump at. Whether Mr. Peters actually will is (IMO) not a sure thing based on his past behavior.

 

[CRM-114]

What are the odds Alec peters will reject a settlement that has limit/rules to what he can do with regard to 'Axanar'?

Based on what I've seen of Alec's response to restrictions - There is indeed a distinct possibility he'll reject it. (In his mind it definitely could be the case where, since JJ Abrams said what he did - Peters thinks can get ANY agreement from C/P he wants; and that probably isn't the case. Remember he's the same 'lawyer by training who believed the Judge would take WEEKS to decide on the MTD [it was less then 24 hours]; and Mr. Peters also believed he would get part of the C/P case dismissed [IE that their 'claim is unripe with respect to the Axanar feature' argument would get the Axanar film aspect dismissed - which 100% did not happen] So, Mr. Peters has already demonstrated poor reasoning with respect to legal aspects. )

Also, if a settlement was that close you would think Mr. Peters would have some knowledge of said settlement; as he is the ONE person (as the head of Axanar and the single defendant named) who has to agree to the offer.

In the context of JJ Abrams statement (and C/P's clarification that they are in settlement talks) - 'going away' doesn't equal 'dropped'; but also, C/P's legal team comment of 'in settlement negotiations' doesn't equal 'settlement reached/agreed to/signed'. And one thing's for sure - NEITHER JJ Abrams nor Justin Lin (or Hell, Alec Peters) has been in the room/conference call between attorneys where the settlement negotiations are being discussed.

Will JJ Abrams/Justin Lin's statement mean C/P will make a settlement offer that's less punitive and more 'forgiving' towards Axanar/Alec Peters then they would have? -- Yes

Will Alec Peters accept it? I'd truly say there's a chance he won't; or be so intractable that a settlement might not be ultimately reached. Mr. Abrams probably believes Mr. Peters to be a practical/rational person; but that just shows he doesn't know Mr. Peters' previous business history very well (if at all.) If Mr. Peters were that practical/rational, I would thing with 1.3 million he could have produced Axanar already and not driven off talent (like Tony Todd or Prelude to Axanar's director) that were initially working on and supportive of the Axanar project.

So yes, C/P will probably now offer a settlement any rational person in Mr. Peters' situation would jump at. Whether Mr. Peters actually will is (IMO) not a sure thing based on his past behavior.

As time goes on, I'm convinced more and more that it must be Alec's lawyers pushing for a settlement, knowing they can't win. It doesn't really surprise me that they might keep him a little out of the loop, if there's the legitimate belief that Alec might louse it up somehow. Besides, why would they want to invest any more (pro-bono) time on this case when they can tell which direction the wind is blowing, even if their client doesn't?

 

[Warped9]

This news is spreading all over FB and slanted as, "Woo-hoo! Lawsuit being dropped! JJ. is the fans' hero! We've won!"

Never let facts get in the way of a story.

"Settled" and "getting dropped" are not the same thing. JJ is NOT an official spokesperson for CBS/P. Because of Peters' crap fans may have actually lost dependent now on CBS/P's forthcoming guidelines.

We were actually winning before when everyone kept their head down and CBS had a live-and-let-live, no-harm-no-foul approach to fan productions.

 

[Red Shirt]

Agreed, neither of us have access to JJ's mindset. My point was that none of this will affect him personally, and for the moment, he can ignore a little a little fan backlash in favor of supporting "The little Guy". Hypocritical? Yes! But, hey, that's business.

True, show business and the winds of fortune can be perversely fickle. Still, I wonder if JJ (and Lin) are aware of the backstory of AP/Axanar sans the ludicrous public relations slant AP and Bawden are fobbing off on people.

 

[Ithekro]

Wasn't one of the things Peters was asking for was a guide line from CBS? Something people were saying CBS would never give as it would allow for people to use their IP legally within that guild line.

 

[Red Shirt]

And now, Tommy Kraft tells The Rest of the Story.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why I'm coming forward with this now in a time when many fans seem to be rejoicing. The answer is that on any production there will be issues and quarrels, but my personal experiences and things that I know have led me to the conclusion that Axanar is not wholly innocent. I have so much more to say on this issue, but it's not worth going into here in this format. None of this meant to take away the excitement fans have and this is not merely a slash piece on Axanar. I simply feel that fans should know the truth of my experiences and I encourage others to come forward with theirs as well to give fans their own perspective."

https://www.facebook.com/tommykraftfilms/posts/1133891623340104?__mref=message_bubble

Very interesting, worth reading.

 

[Noname Given]

This news is spreading all over FB and slanted as, "Woo-hoo! Lawsuit being dropped! JJ. is the fans' hero! We've won!"

Never let facts get in the way of a story.

"Settled" and "getting dropped" are not the same thing. JJ is NOT an official spokesperson for CBS/P. Because of Peters' crap fans may have actually lost dependent now on CBS/P's forthcoming guidelines.

We were actually winning before when everyone kept their head down and CBS had a live-and-let-live, no-harm-no-foul approach to fan productions.

What to me is REALLY hilarious is: The majority of the Pro-Peters crowd posting the:

"Woo-hoo! Lawsuit being dropped! JJ. is the fans' hero! We've won!"

Are the same Pro-Peters folks who previously posted comments like:

"JJ Trek sucks! JJ Abrams doesn't get Star Trek or Star Trek fans..."
or
"Who wants 'Fast and Furious' Star Trek? Justin Lin sucks..."

Again, it'll be interesting to see if Alec Peters accepts the settlement terms C/P offers; or if he (as he has shown the capacity to do before) goes irrational, and blows any chance of reaching a settlement with C/P as a result.

I'm sure we'll find out (as JJ Abrams has said "...in a few weeks".

 

[Warped9]

I wonder if JJ (and Lin) are aware of the backstory of AP/Axanar sans the ludicrous public relations slant AP and Bawden are fobbing off on people.

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

This all strikes me as JJ making premature statements without official standing or sanction for the sake of PR.

 

[OtherGene]

Irrespective of what you may think of his work there's no doubt in my mind that JJ Abrams is a very intelligent man and I'd be very surprised if at some point in the future he retracted his comments regarding this because he's spoken out of turn. So with that in mind I'm left with the belief that he's made these comments with a fixed goal in mind and it's possibly a fixed goal that's not immediately clear certainly to me and, judging by lots of the comments here and elsewhere, it's also not clear to plenty of other people.

Wheels within wheels...

 

[Red Shirt]

What to me is REALLY hilarious is: The majority of the Pro-Peters crowd posting the:

Are the same Pro-Peters folks who previously posted comments like:

"JJ Trek sucks! JJ Abrams doesn't get Star Trek or Star Trek fans..."
or
"Who wants 'Fast and Furious' Star Trek? Justin Lin sucks..."

Again, it'll be interesting to see if Alec Peters accepts the settlement terms C/P offers; or if he (as he has shown the capacity to do before) goes irrational, and blows any chance of reaching a settlement with C/P as a result.

I'm sure we'll find out (as JJ Abrams has said: "...in a few weeks".

It is hilarious! AP's Axaculture revolves around how "Jar Jar Abrams" (and evil CBS/P) ruined Star Trek and through AP & Co.'s Tru-Vision of Tru-Trek for Tru-Fans will Axanar be in accordance with GR as he wanted Star Trek to be. Utter rubbish yet funny rubbish.

 

[Red Shirt]

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

This all strikes me as JJ making premature statements without official standing or sanction for the sake of PR.

That sounds plausible to me.

 

[Noname Given]

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

This all strikes me as JJ making premature statements without official standing or sanction for the sake of PR.

I don't think JJ Abram's will retract his statements. That said, IF Alec Peters rejects the settlement offer(s) that Paramount/CBS makes, and as a result the case doesn't "go away" - JJ Abrams may make a further clarification of that particular statement.

Time will tell.

 

[RCAM]

I trust none of us were surprised by Tommy's revelations. He showed a lot of restraint in the way he presented them, including noting the few times AP behaved rationally, but that won't stop Alec from vomiting nonsense all over social media.

 

[Red Shirt]

I Liked Prelude. Was looking forward to the movie. Then I heard how dicey AP was. Did my own research and found that the more I read, the less I liked him. Sadly, it was mostly his own words, couched in a certain arrogance, that turned me away from him. I also think he will bear the credit (or, more likely, the blame) for any changes to fan films, He has not served himself, fandom, or Star Trek well. I think the people most annoyed are the ones who watched the promise of Axanar turn to crap, wheter it ever gets made or not.

We don't have to care about Axanar to be annoyed with AP. We just have to care about Star Trek and how disrespectfully he's treated this property.

Speaking for myself, I was looking forward to a finished Axanar after watching Prelude. Another fan film, cool. Then I came here reading about the lawsuits. And AP & Co.'s snotty attitudes when they were asked questions resulting in banning donors. And AP's shady auction practices and deceptive shipping/billing of his prop customers. And the self awarded salary. And the ST merchandising. WTF?

On a side note, it seems weird the JJ announcement has lead people here telling the people on this thread how awful they are, they shouldn't discuss the thread topic; go do something else, we don't know what we're talking about and we're the bad guys out of this whole mess.

#Axamarinesfail.

 

[carlosp]

From the AxaMonitor article on Tommy Kraft's criticism of Axanar in the wake of its apparent legal reprieve, updated with reaction from Axanar director Rob Burnett, also Prelude's editor, who worked closely with Kraft.

Also, read about the timing issue that may have been the final straw for Kraft. Read more »

 

[cultcross]

Wasn't one of the things Peters was asking for was a guide line from CBS? Something people were saying CBS would never give as it would allow for people to use their IP legally within that guild line.

And I still think it's idiotic for a major IP owner to come up with published official guidance on how others can violate their IP. It turns every open and shut Axanar case into a difficult argument on the specific facts and whether they did or didn't stick to vaguely worded rules. At the very least I imagine these guidelines will contain something along the lines of a 'final say' clause whereby the studio can step in and stop any production, no questions asked, and have a general veto on anything released. Otherwise people could produce anything content wise, slap their IP all over it and call it 'Authorised by CBS'.

 

[Mudd]

How many times in the period between
Klausner's rejection of the
MTD and Abrams's announcement on Friday did the leadership of Axanar use the word "settlement"online?